Clutch unit

Abstract

A clutch unit includes a lever-side clutch part to control transmission and interruption of rotational torque input through a lever operation and a brake-side clutch part to transmit the rotational torque from the lever-side clutch part to the output side and interrupt rotational torque reversely input from the output side. The brake-side clutch part includes an outer ring constrained in rotation, an output shaft to output the rotation, cylindrical rollers to control interruption of the rotational torque reversely input from the output shaft and transmission of the rotational torque input from the lever-side clutch part through engagement and disengagement between the outer ring and the output shaft, a friction ring to apply a rotational resistance to the output shaft, and a variable part to change the rotational resistance applied to the output shaft between the transmission and the interruption of the rotational torque.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A clutch unit, comprising:
 a lever-side clutch part, which is provided on an input side, and is configured to control transmission and interruption of a rotational torque input through a lever operation; and 
 a brake-side clutch part, which is provided on an output side, and is configured to transmit the rotational torque from the lever-side clutch part to the output side, and interrupt a rotational torque reversely input from the output side, 
 wherein the brake-side clutch part comprises:
 a stationary member which is constrained in rotation; 
 an output member configured to output the rotation; 
 an engaging element configured to control the interruption of the rotational torque reversely input from the output member and the transmission of the rotational torque input from the lever-side clutch part through engagement and disengagement between the stationary member and the output member; 
 a brake member configured to apply a rotational resistance to the output member; and 
 a variable part configured to change the rotational resistance applied to the output member between the transmission and the interruption of the rotational torque, 
 
 wherein the variable part comprises a slide member arranged so as to be movable in an axial direction relative to the brake member, and 
 wherein the variable part is configured to allow the slide member to be movable in the axial direction by cooperation of a cam mechanism, which is provided between the slide member and an input member of the lever-side clutch part, and an elastic member, which is provided between the slide member and the stationary member of the brake-side clutch part. 
 
     
     
       2. The clutch unit according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the slide member is to be joined to the brake member at a tapered surface extending in the axial direction, and is configured to increase and decrease a slide torque, which is generated by a pressure contact between the brake member and the output member, by displacing the brake member in a radial direction by the movement of the slide member in the axial direction through a tapered surface joint. 
 
     
     
       3. The clutch unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the lever-side clutch part and the brake-side clutch part are assembled to a seat lifter part for an automobile. 
     
     
       4. The clutch unit according to  claim 2 , wherein the lever-side clutch part and the brake-side clutch part are assembled to a seat lifter part for an automobile.